Chapter 12: I am a senpai

The battle in the forest had passed, and some time later, Senpai rejoined us.

Somehow, he was smiling—lighter, like a weight had finally been lifted from his shoulders. His expression was brighter than ever.

I’d heard that the Hero Club members had entered that forest too. Maybe, while we weren’t around, Senpai managed to settle whatever lingering issues he had with Rekka-senpai.

I don’t know if they talked about their secrets, but if those two have made peace, nothing could make me happier. It’s a relief for me too.

Several days have passed since then.

We’ve been taking detours to avoid enemy encounters, so we’re still wandering through the Chubu region. But despite that, our journey has been going well.

We’re making steady progress, and our bonds are growing stronger.

Kizuki-chan is as aloof as ever, but she trusts us now. And when it comes to anything mechanical, she’s incredibly reliable.

Kii-senpai… he feels different, like he’s shed something. It reminds me of how dependable Rai-senpai and the others were when I first joined the Hero Club.

Even though there’s only three of us, we’re starting to feel like a team—a real one, strong enough to stand alongside the Hero Club. And honestly… that makes me happy.

---

“...Kizuki-chan’s totally out cold, huh.”

“Lmao, she’s snoozing hard.”

“Uh, Senpai… did you break or something?”

It was late at night in a rundown apartment.

Kizuki was asleep in the back room on a futon.

I was organizing my backpack while Senpai, unusually in his male form, was doing maintenance on his pendant.

“Man, Kizuki’s seriously amazing. It’s honestly a godsend that she can sleep anywhere.”

“Some people can’t sleep if the pillow’s different. Meanwhile, Kizuki-chan could probably sleep in a cave. Her survival instincts are way better than yours, Senpai. If you trained her, she could be a ninja.”

“Nah, we’ve got too many ninja-types already.”

“Says who…?”

Sighing, I handed him a water bottle. He took it without hesitation and practically chugged it. If he was that thirsty, he could’ve just said so.

Lately, I’ve started noticing how often I anticipate Senpai’s needs before he even asks. Maybe this is what being a good partner is like.

“But, y’know, you’re pretty amazing too, Otomashi. A girl your age, going through all this without complaining? That’s impressive.”

“You could say the same about you, Senpai. Unlike the Hero Club members who’ve been fighting for a year, you’ve only been doing this for two months. You’re basically a civilian. A normal 17-year-old shouldn’t be living like this.”

“I’m invincible, though.”

“…Boys really do love their stubborn pride, huh? You’re such an idiot.”

And yet, here I was, laughing along with this idiot.

I’ve never been this comfortable around Rekka-senpai.

Maybe it’s because, unlike in the Hero Club, it’s often just the two of us now. I’ve gotten used to Senpai’s antics.

At the very least, he’s become someone special to me. Different from the Hero Club members. I feel it more every day.

…Am I just that easy?

“Hey, Otomashi.”

“Yeah?”

Senpai stopped what he was doing and turned to face me.

His usual laid-back self. He probably wanted to discuss tomorrow’s route.

The fact that I immediately assumed that… means I really have gotten used to life with him. Maybe it’s because, unlike in the Hero Club, we’re constantly in danger—I’ve gotten quicker at reading situations.

But—

“Don’t you think it’s about time you went back to the Hero Club?”

—That was something I didn’t see coming.

“…H-Huh? What’re you even—ahaha…”

I froze.

Because he said it so casually. Like it was nothing.

A ninja shouldn’t falter like this. I had to counter.

“C’mon, Senpai, don’t be ridiculous. You can’t keep traveling alone, can you? You need me.”

“Maybe. But when I met Rekka in the forest, I realized something. The Hero Club’s way more worried about you than you think.”

“Tch—”

Crap.

There’s no mistaking it—Senpai’s trying to convince me to leave.

His tone is casual as always, but his eyes… they’re dead serious.

“W-Well, same goes for you, Senpai! Rekka-senpai was super worried about you! I mean, you guys made up, right—?”

“Nah. I didn’t ‘make up’ with him. I betrayed him.”

“…Huh?”

His words hit me like a brick.

I couldn’t respond.

I was panicking.

Senpai and Rekka were close. Anyone could see they were best friends.

Rekka-senpai might’ve kept secrets from him because of Hero Club complications, but I never thought Senpai would betray him.

I thought if anything, he’d want to clear up any misunderstandings immediately.

Was I wrong?

“I can’t go back anymore. It’s not just about hiding things—I chose to betray Rekka. Our friendship.”

His laugh was hollow, like he’d already accepted it.

“What we’re doing now might be the right thing. Protecting a girl chased by the enemy, saving the world in the process. If I use that as an excuse, I could justify all the lies as ‘necessary.’”

That smile—cheerful, yet painfully sad—I’ve seen it before.

A face I know too well.

A face of resignation.

“But that’s not it. The circumstances don’t matter. I crossed a line—one that can’t be forgiven. Even with Kizuki’s situation, even with my parents, even with everything else… in the end, I’m the one who chose to betray them. It’s my fault.”

“…Senpai…”

It was the same face I saw in the mirror every day.

The face of someone raised in a long line of ninja spies. Someone who had betrayed countless people.

The face I wore.

A weak, resigned smile.

“Otomashi. I don’t want that for you. You shouldn’t do something you can’t take back. I… I just want you to live a normal life.”

Even now, he was forcing a smile for my sake.

It hurt to look at. I couldn’t meet his eyes.

Why was he saying this now?

…No, I knew why.

I’m not stupid. If anything, I’m quick to pick up on things—that’s how I’ve survived in the Hero Club this long.

Senpai said he betrayed Rekka-senpai.

Which means, from now on, he’ll be traveling as his enemy.

An enemy of Rekka-senpai is an enemy of the Hero Club.

If I stay with him, I’ll be seen as the same. Otomashi Noise will no longer be a Hero Club member. She’ll be an adversary.

“So… please, Otomashi.”

That’s what Senpai is afraid of.

That’s why he’s trying so clumsily to convince me to leave.

This is his way of protecting me. His form of sincerity.

Things are different now than when we first started this journey. Back then, it was just secrets. Now, it’s outright betrayal. His position is far worse.

Senpai is sacrificing himself.

For me.

For someone else.

Just like Rekka-senpai always does—the kind of self-sacrifice I hate.

“…!”

“…Otomashi? Uh, why’re you grabbing my hand…?”

Before I realized it, I had seized his hand.

Sitting there, head bowed, I clutched his hand in both of mine.

“I’m not…”

If I let go now, I felt like I’d lose him.

Like he’d disappear somewhere far away.

If I let myself be swayed by his words—Senpai would willingly isolate himself.

"I... I won't let you—"

It wasn’t a calculated decision—just pure reflex.

I still didn’t know what words to say to him.

What do I do? What do I do?

"...Otomashi. What I'm about to say—there's no hidden meaning in it."

"Huh?"

"Just take the words at face value. That's all."

Senpai’s expression didn’t change. That same gentle smile, like he was worried about me.

Stop it.

Don’t look at me like that.

It just made me feel like I was nothing but a burden to him.

"You can—no, you should betray me."

My heart lurched.

My grip on his hand loosened.

He wasn’t holding back. If I let go now—

Then we’d really—

"I won’t resent you… not ever. After everything you’ve done for Kizuki, after sticking with me this far without asking for anything in return… I could never thank you enough."

"…………"

"You can go back to the Hero Club, Otomashi. They’ll always take you in. …Thanks for coming this far with me."

We can’t—!

"Se—Senpai!"

"Wha—!?"

I threw my arms around him.

Hugged him tight, hands clutching his back.

I won’t let go.

I won’t let you be alone.

I won’t let us end like this.

"…Hk… ngh…"

"…Oto…mashi?"

No. I can’t cry.

I’m not some weak girl.

I’m not just a damsel waiting to be saved.

I’m Senpai’s equal—his one and only partner.

"Senpai… hah… you’re stupid."

"……"

Calm down. Breathe.

Senpai was waiting. He looked a little lost, but he wasn’t pushing me away.

So it was fine.

I’d say it properly.

Not through hints, not through implications—just my own words, raw and unfiltered.

"Th-That’s way too selfish! You can’t just use me this whole time and toss me aside when you’re done!"

"N-No, that’s not—"

I knew. Of course I knew that’s not what he meant.

…Ugh, why couldn’t I say it right?

Had I ever tried this hard to put my feelings into words before?

"Senpai, you always try to carry everything alone… but don’t flatter yourself. If there’s anyone who understands the pain of betrayal… it’s me."

That’s right. I’ve betrayed countless people.

Lied, hid secrets, ran away—over and over.

"You betrayed Rekka-senpai, right? …Funny. I’ve done the same. Not just to her—to the entire Hero Club. …Again and again."

"You…"

I was a ninja.

Raised as the last survivor of a clan that taught me to serve master after master, cutting down the previous one without hesitation.

Every mission—every act of espionage, infiltration, deception—left me filthy, clinging to life through betrayal.

That’s who I really was.

"I’ve betrayed way more people than you ever could. And every single time… it was my choice."

I could be anyone’s ally—anyone’s enemy.

That was the ninja way beaten into me. It was rooted so deep, I might as well call betrayal a habit.

I was the worst kind of woman.

The Hero Club was originally a government-sanctioned team. Before joining them, I fought against them in secret, hiding my identity.

Then the government recruited me to support them. When the Hero Club was exiled for defying orders, I slipped into their ranks as they became vigilante "heroes of the people."

I hid every wound I’d ever dealt them and conveniently became their ally.

And then—I joined his harem.

I was the last to join the Hero Club, but by then, the other girls already had feelings for him—Rekka Fire.

Almost all of them.

None of them confessed, but none of them hid their affection, either.

They’d all been saved by him in different ways. That’s why they loved him, they said.

…So I did the same.

I "fell in love" with Rekka. That was the role I played.

If he was the heart of the team’s unity, then that was the optimal solution.

Rivals in love, yet united in devotion—that’s how I carved out a place for myself in the Hero Club.

"I’m just a rotten, deceitful woman. Everything about me is a lie."

I never had a "normal life."

Every day, I wore myself out hiding secrets. Every time I flirted with Rekka like the other girls, my mind screamed—what am I even doing?

Sure, there were fun moments. But the guilt always outweighed them.

Even if I confessed, the kind seniors of the Hero Club would probably forgive me.

…But I didn’t want to be forgiven.

Because I knew I’d never forgive myself.

"…So, the only person who can stand by a backstabbing, piece-of-trash Senpai like you… is an equally terrible, awful kouhai like me. Got it?"

"…B-But, hey…"

I can’t leave him alone.

Whatever he’s done to Rekka, if he’s left by himself now, there’ll be no stopping his fall.

"What, you’d throw away a cute, devoted kouhai like me? Senpai, are you gay? Am I just in the way of you and Rekka-senpai?"

"Wha—!? Th-That’s not what I meant!"

See?

This is the kind of girl you picked up.

I won’t play the meek, obedient follower. I’ll stand beside him—as an equal.

"You’re the one who dragged me into this, Senpai."

I won’t let go.

"So… take responsibility."

I’ll protect Senpai and Kizuki.

I’ll protect the place I’ve finally found.

For them—for myself—

I won’t tell a single more lie.

---

"I figured it’d be bad to drag her any further into my whole ‘pretty girl act,’ so I tried to gently convince Otomashi to go back to the Hero Club."

But before I knew it—

I was the one being hugged.

And then she hit me with that "Take responsibility" line, dripping with implications, and now my brain’s short-circuiting.

What even is this…?

"Uh, Otomashi… You’re kinda… pressing against me.""You’re so dense. I’m doing it on purpose.""You’re lying."

What kind of devilish kouhai is this!? (Shocked)

Uweegh… I don’t remember raising her to be like this…

"S-Seriously, are you sure? Once we go further… there’s no turning back.""I told you—it’s fine. My place is wherever you and Kizuki-chan are."

Miscommunication detected. I was thinking something risqué, but my kouhai’s talking about belonging with absolute sincerity. Sorry for having a teenage boy’s brain.

"C-Can you let go? Kizuki’s asleep in the next room and all…""……Senpai’s… fault.""Huh?"

What was that? Couldn’t hear a thing.

Not playing the hard-of-hearing card here—but if I still can’t catch it with us this close, she’s gotta be whispering. Not my fault.

"……Hngh! I-I said… if Senpai hugs me back, then I’ll let go!""If we hug tighter, we’ll never separate…""Stop with the weird logic!!"

That’s a valid counter…?

"If you really mean it… then squeeze me properly.""Otomashi…"

‘Squeeze’ is kinda cute… (Minor thought)

Wait, no—what is even happening right now?

I don’t remember triggering any ‘Otomashi Affection Up’ events. This is a glitch.

"……Don’t… leave me alone.""……Tch. Fine, got it."

Unbelievable, but apparently, this is serious for Otomashi. Meanwhile, I’m over here, heart pounding like crazy from my first-ever hug with a girl.

Guess I’ve got no choice but to… yeah.

I’ll borrow a move from that guy—the one drowning in heroines—and handle this the way Rekka would.

"Thanks, Otomashi.""……I said you could hug back. I didn’t say you could pat my head."

Huh!? That’s not how it’s supposed to go…!?

Isn’t the Rekka-style protagonist move the right answer!?

…Oh. She let go.

Well, at least we’re separated now. Thank god.

"Mm, fine. I’ll spare you for today.""Preferably forever, if you don’t mind."

My heart can’t take this.

"……You didn’t like it? Our squeeze?""Loved it. Got me fired up, honestly.""Ew…"

Oh, you little—!!

Kidding. Obviously, a senpai wouldn’t get excited over a kouhai clinging to him.

"Anyway… it’s late. Let’s sleep.""Hold up—what’s that supposed to mean?""Senpai, you’re way too perverted. Normal people wouldn’t take that as anything but ‘let’s go to bed.’""Am I the only one who thinks you’re the problem, dropping lines like that!?"

Bickering the whole way, Otomashi drags me by the hand toward the futon where Kizuki’s sleeping.

Hey, don’t just grab a guy’s hand like that. I might fall for you.

"Let’s sleep in a line, with Kizuki-chan in the middle.""We’re not some wholesome sibling trio.""We’re basically family at this point, right?""……So you’re the wife, and Kizuki’s the daughter…? I see…""Why!? Just be normal siblings!!"

Futon acquired. And just like that, we’re all crammed together, Kizuki sandwiched between us.

"Speaking of, Otomashi-san? You can let go of my hand now.""Nope. This is to stop you from pulling some ‘By dawn, I had vanished from Otomashi’s side…’ cool-guy exit.""You really don’t trust me, huh?"

Goddamn it. I was totally planning to sneak off like that if things got rough. Guess she saw right through me. Ninja mind-reading strikes again.

"You win, Otomashi.""Heheh. Senpai’s still way too naive.""Then let’s sleep. Goodnight, nin-nin, little ninja.""You should really stop using ‘ninja’ as a joke. I will get mad."

Scary.

"……Kizuki-chan, make sure Senpai doesn’t run. Grab his clothes tight.""Okay. The three of us stay together until we die.""WHEN DID YOU WAKE UP!? LET GOOO!!"

Turns out, both Kizuki and Otomashi are way wilier than I thought.

Somewhere along the way, this team—started as a lie wrapped in seriousness—became a bunch of weirdos just having fun.

That aside—this sleeping arrangement is hell.